Oct 18, 2007 7:53 pm US/Central
Collin Co. Concerned By Staph Infection Potential
by Stephanie Lucero
COLLIN COUNTY (CBS 11 News) ―
There are growing concerns over a potentially dangerous form of staph infection.
Collin County health officials say three people have died from the so-called 'superbug' strain.
The 'superbug' strain is resistant to antibiotics and is known as MRSA.
While the three deaths happened within the last year Collin County health officials say that's not typical, but it's not an epidemic.
Health officials say staph infections are commonplace. Three or four cases in a single school is not uncommon.
Thursday afternoon, school nurses from all over Collin County met with local health officials. The group went over the 'game plan' for combating staph infections in schools.
Wednesday night the Frisco Independent Scholl District brought out the heavy equipment to do a deep cleaning at Clark Middle School. Two students at the campus have confirmed cases of staph infection. Both students have reportedly recovered and are back at school.
The machine used to clean the school sanitizes and disinfects against all types of infectious diseases.
Information about the three 'superbug' deaths is limited, but CBS 11 News has learned -
- A 9-year-old, visiting from San Antonio, died in August.
- Two previously healthy young adults died from MRSA in the last year.
- The Greenville Independent School District notified its parents Thursday that one student was diagnosed with MRSA.
Health officials refer to the risks factors as the four 'C's'.
- Crowding
- Contamination
- Cleanliness -- lack of
- Compromised skin
"The school district has spent a great deal of funds trying to make the circumstances safe and it really comes down to good personal hygiene and recognizes high-risk situations," said Janet Glowicz, Collin County Health Department.
County health officials want parents to ask their kids to wash their hands frequently, particularly those who are involved in school sports.
"We are not talking about high-tech ways of disinfecting surfaces," said Janet Glowicz with the CC Health Department. "We're talking about inexpensive hygiene that students can undertake to protect themselves."
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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